Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

SAVANNAH, GA – Roy Mobley, aka “Grind,” 37, of Savannah, Georgia, was sentenced today by Senior United States District Court Judge William T. Moore, Jr. to 33 months in federal prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release. Mobley was the last of 22 defendants convicted as part of a joint federal and state operation targeting violent crime and gang activities in the Cann Park (Savannah) neighborhood.

Cann Park is a small neighborhood near downtown Savannah located next to historic Beach High School. In 2015 and 2016, a small number of gang-affiliated individuals regularly trafficked in drugs and guns in Cann Park, spreading crime throughout the neighborhood. In a joint ATF and Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department (SCMPD) operation, individuals in Cann Park that were trafficking guns and drugs were identified and targeted as part of a 6-month undercover investigation. The criminal activities charged in the federal indictments all occurred in the Cann Park neighborhood. Many of the defendants were members of the Cann Park Goons and the Fast Lane Gang, self-proclaimed gangs operating in Cann Park. As part of the investigation, agents seized 17 firearms and significant amounts of heroin, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, marijuana and MDMA.

Violent crime rates have sharply fallen in Cann Park since the March 2016 arrests and prosecutions. Since March 2016, violent crime in Cann Park has dropped 40%; aggravated assaults with a gun have dropped 75%; and “shots fired” calls dropped 50%.

Acting U.S. Attorney Jim Durham said, “A small number of people are committing most of the violent crimes in Savannah. The Cann Park Operation is just one example of how we can work together to remove from our neighborhoods those trafficking in drugs, guns and fear. The U. S. Attorney’s Office and our federal partners will continue to partner with SCMPD and the DA’s Office as we take back our great city.”

Tim Graden, ATF Resident Agent in Charge, Savannah Field Office stated, “To a citizen who lives in fear, the worst gang in America is one committing crimes in their neighborhood, the one selling drugs on their block and the one whose illegal use of firearms endangers their lives. When agencies work together to proactively prosecute these criminals, we make neighborhoods a safer place.”

The Savannah residents convicted and sentenced as part of the Cann Park Operation include:

 

Marquiel Bell, aka “Quelly,” aka “Julio,” 19: pled guilty to possession of a stolen firearm and sentenced to 7 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Roemain R. Bennett, aka “Ratt,” 33: pled guilty to drug and firearms offenses and sentenced to 208 months in prison and 5 years supervised release;

 

Jesse Benton, 27: pled guilty to use of a communication facility and sentenced to 27 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Mario Grant, 33: pled guilty to drug conspiracy and sentenced to 5 months in prison and 1 year supervised release;

 

Benjamin Gordon, 43: pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 102 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Jamal Hilton, aka “Jamel Hilton,” aka “Jamaal Hilton,” aka “Mel,” aka “Tommy Henderson II,” 31: pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 5 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Jeremy James, 34: pled guilty to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon and sentenced to 77 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Kristopher Kemp, 30: pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a drug user and sentenced to 24 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Nicholas Kemp, 28: pled guilty to possession of firearm by a convicted felon and sentenced to 46 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Stephen Kemp, 25: pled guilty to possession of a firearm by a drug user and sentenced to 30 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Jacqueline Mavity, 44: was placed on pre-trial diversion;

 

Roy Mobley, aka “Grind,” 37: pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 33 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Albert Morisette, 31: pled guilty to drug distribution and sentenced to 6 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Alekseyer X. Mungin, 37: pled guilty to drug and firearms offenses and sentenced to 84 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Rashaun Padgett, aka “Ray Ray,” 31: who pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 21 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Michael Porter, 36: pled guilty to drug distribution and sentenced to 11 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Marvin Roberts, aka “Steady,” 29: pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 31 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Tony Small, 20: pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 6 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Kareem Savage, aka “Rashaad Roberts,” 27: pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 5 years of probation;

 

Jamaine Wallace, 35: pled guilty to cocaine trafficking and sentenced to 78 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Simmeon Whitfield, aka “Yon,” 26: pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 24 months in prison and 3 years supervised release;

 

Xavier Whitfield, aka “Kenny,” 30: pled guilty to drug trafficking and sentenced to 14 months in prison and 3 years supervised release; and

 

Travis Young, 35: pled guilty to cocaine trafficking and sentenced to 151 months in prison and 3 years supervised release.

There is no parole in the federal system. Once the defendants are released from prison, they will serve a term of supervised release, under the direct supervision of the United States Probation Office.

The Cann Park Operation was investigated by ATF and SCMPD, with assistance from the U. S. Marshals Service, the Chatham-Savannah Counter Narcotics Team (CNT) and the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys Greg Gilluly, Charlie Bourne and Jennifer Kirkland prosecuted the cases on behalf of the United States. For any questions, please contact the United States Attorney’s Office at (912) 201-2522.